Kidnapped Turkish truck drivers freed

The released Turkish truck drivers will arrive in Sanliurfa on Thursday

ERBIL, Iraq - The freed Turkish truck drivers will be flown to Turkey’s southeastern province of Sanliurfa on Thursday, the Turkish Consul General said.

“The 32 drivers were expected to be sent to Turkey’s capital Ankara but most of the drivers’ hometown is Sanliurfa and we want them to reach their families as soon as possible,” Mehmet Akif Inam said.

The drivers will be flown on a Turkish Airlines private aircraft.

Speaking earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said: "After 23 days of diplomatic efforts, our drivers are freed and met with our consul general in Erbil." He confirmed the drivers were in good health.